Page 19 - Solar Power
Road map for a solar surge
With the urban focus of India's solar power policy encountering space limitations, the government should tap the enormous potential that exists in rural areas
 "Road map for a solar surge")
Solar power players miffed with Haryana's policy hurdles, high land costs
The state had made lofty claims of setting 2,000 Mw projects at an estimated investment of Rs 80 billion; not even one has seen the light of day
 "Solar power players miffed with Haryana's policy hurdles, high land costs")
Adani Group, Tata Power, NTPC win bids for UP solar energy projects
Adityanath govt targeting Rs 500-bn investment in solar power space
Solar installations see 4% drop in Q3 due to lack of clarity around GST
Large-scale installations during the third quarter of 2018 totalled 1,154 MW compared to 1,244 MW in second quarter 2018 and 2,013 MW in Q3 2017
Identify the right levers
A virtuous cycle can be created in areas like climate change where supportive policy can help cut cost of carbon reduction technologies
India must tap new debt, equity routes to meet 100-Gw solar target: Report
India has 23 Gw of installed capacity in solar power at present
 "India must tap new debt, equity routes to meet 100-Gw solar target: Report")
Govt's first solar panel manufacturing tender draws zero response
The tender for setting up solar cell and module manufacturing plant in India on "build own operate" basis was issued in May 2018
 "Govt's first solar panel manufacturing tender draws zero response")
Solar power leads capacity growth in April-July as coal generation falls
Under the guidelines laid out by Central Electricity Authority, thermal plants that have completed 25 years will either wind up or switch to less polluting, super-critical technologies
 "Solar power leads capacity growth in April-July as coal generation falls")
Rooftop solar power systems pay off in long run despite high upfront costs
You can recover your money in four or five years and then enjoy free power. Besides, you will be doing your bit for the environment
Safeguards duty on solar cell import could increase costs of new projects
The solar industry had calculated that this duty imposition would lead to an escalation of 50-60 paise in the final solar tariff
Mahindra, Azure Power, Hero propose to set up 100 Mw solar plants in Odisha
Odisha recently cleared a plan by NEEPCO to invest Rs 9.44 billion to set up a 200-Mw solar power plant
 "Mahindra, Azure Power, Hero propose to set up 100 Mw solar plants in Odisha")
Centre readies policy changes in solar bids, likely to award 10-15 GW
The move comes just within a month of SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son meeting officials from the PM's Office
SoftBank, China's GCL team up for $930 million Indian solar venture
SoftBank and GCL's new venture will eventually have a capacity of 4Gw and will be implemented in two 2Gw phases
 "SoftBank, China's GCL team up for $930 million Indian solar venture")
Solar power will cost less than thermal in 6-7 years, says Ajay Mathur
India's dependence on thermal power would end by 2050, says Ajay Mathur
 "Solar power will cost less than thermal in 6-7 years, says Ajay Mathur")
India reaches 20 GW in installed solar capacity 4 years ahead of target
The top state for solar installations was Telangana, followed by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan
After LED and e-cars, EESL sets benchmark rates in solar power
Energy Efficiency Services (EESL), the joint venture under the power ministry to unlock and expand the market in this regard, has after programmes in LED and e-vehicles, branched out to the clean energy sector.It has procured indigenously made solar power panels at 30 cents/kwh capacity (Rs 20.63/kwh), cheaper than the current rate of good quality Chinese panels. It has procured 300 Mw of disaggregated solar power modules for use in multiple applications.It is procuring the panels from Adani Green Energy at the said bid, and from Bharat Heavy Electricals, Tata Power Solar and Central Electronics which agreed to meet the price. The company (it is a joint venture of a number of state-owned companies in the energy sector) said two programmes where these panels would be used have been standardised. One is for solar rooftops; it has agreed with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to set up solar rooftops in the latter's area for up to 20 Mw. The other is with Maharashtra State ...
 "After LED and e-cars, EESL sets benchmark rates in solar power")
Tamil Nadu to procure 1500 MW of solar power at Rs 3.47 per unit
By 2021, the state has set a target to generate 5000 MW, including the 1500 MW for which MoUs were signed.
 "Tamil Nadu to procure 1500 MW of solar power at Rs 3.47 per unit")
India added more solar power in first half of 2017 than in all of 2016
Uncertainty over GST, utilities renegotiating to get better rates pose challenge for future addition
 "India added more solar power in first half of 2017 than in all of 2016")
Giving domestic solar manufacturers a leg-up
In 2010-12 nearly 80% of projects tendered were in the DCR category; in 2013-14 it was just 50%
India's solar power capacity to be 22 Gw by March: Piyush Goyal
India set a target of having 100 GW of solar energy and 60 Gw of wind power capacities by 2022
 "India's solar power capacity to be 22 Gw by March: Piyush Goyal")
